Welcoming Monarchs To Your Garden: Plants That Attract These Beautiful Butterflies

The Importance of Monarch Butterflies

Monarch butterflies are not just beautiful creatures, but they play a vital role in our ecosystem. As pollinators, they help maintain the balance in the natural world, which in turn helps us humans continue to thrive. Unfortunately, their populations have been declining in recent years due to habitat loss and other factors. But there is something we can do to help: plant the right kinds of plants in our gardens to attract and support these amazing insects.

The Top Plants for Attracting Monarch Butterflies

Here are some of the best plants to include in your garden if you want to attract monarch butterflies:

Milkweed

Milkweed is perhaps the most important plant for monarchs because it is the only plant on which they lay their eggs. The larvae feed exclusively on milkweed leaves, so without this essential plant, monarchs cannot complete their life cycle. There are many different species of milkweed, but some good options for gardens include common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), and butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa).

Zinnias

Zinnias are easy to grow and come in a variety of colors, making them an attractive addition to any garden. They also happen to be one of the best nectar sources for monarch butterflies. Plant them in full sun and deadhead regularly for continuous blooms throughout the summer.

Asters

Asters are another great nectar source for monarchs, and they bloom in the fall when many other plants have finished flowering. Some good options include New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) and smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve).

Goldenrod

Despite its reputation as a cause of seasonal allergies, goldenrod is actually a great plant for attracting monarchs. It blooms in the late summer and fall and provides a valuable source of nectar for migrating butterflies.

Coneflowers

Coneflowers, also known as echinacea, are another easy-to-grow plant that attracts a variety of pollinators, including monarchs. They come in a range of colors and bloom from midsummer to fall.

Liatris

Liatris, also called blazing star or gayfeather, produces tall spikes of pink or purple flowers that are a favorite of monarchs and other pollinators. They bloom in mid to late summer and grow best in full sun.

Butterfly Bush

As the name suggests, butterfly bush is an excellent plant for attracting all kinds of butterflies, including monarchs. It produces fragrant, cone-shaped clusters of flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white throughout the summer.

Purple Coneflower

Purple coneflower, also known as Echinacea purpurea, is a native wildflower that produces daisy-like flowers with distinctive spiky centers. It's a great plant for attracting monarchs and other pollinators, and it's easy to grow in full sun to part shade.

Joe-Pye Weed

Joe-Pye weed is a tall, imposing plant that can reach up to 8 feet in height. It produces large clusters of mauve-pink flowers that attract monarchs and other butterflies in late summer.

Coreopsis

Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, is a cheerful little plant that produces masses of bright yellow or red flowers from midsummer to fall. It's easy to grow and attracts monarchs and other pollinators.

Lantana

Lantana is a tropical plant that produces clusters of small, brightly colored flowers in shades of pink, yellow, orange, and red. It's a great plant for attracting monarchs and other butterflies, but it needs full sun and warm temperatures to thrive.

Verbena

Verbena is another easy-to-grow plant that produces masses of small, colorful flowers throughout the summer. It's a favorite of monarchs and other pollinators, and it comes in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, white, and red.

Salvia

Salvia, also known as sage, is a versatile plant that comes in many different varieties, some of which are great for attracting monarchs. They produce tall spikes of blue, purple, or pink flowers in mid to late summer and prefer full sun.

Phlox

Phlox is a popular garden plant that produces large clusters of fragrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It attracts a variety of pollinators, including monarchs, and blooms from midsummer to fall.

Pentas

Pentas is a tropical plant that produces clusters of small, star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. It's a great plant for attracting monarchs and other butterflies, but it needs full sun and regular watering to thrive.

How to Attract Monarchs to Your Garden

Now that you know which plants to include in your garden to attract monarchs, here are a few tips to help you create the ideal butterfly habitat:

Plant Milkweed

As mentioned earlier, milkweed is absolutely essential for monarchs. Make sure to include at least one species of milkweed in your garden.

Provide a Variety of Plants

Monarchs need nectar from a variety of plants throughout their life cycle. By including a mix of plants that bloom at different times of the year, you can ensure that there's always something available for them to eat.

Avoid Pesticides

Pesticides are harmful to all pollinators, including monarchs. If possible, avoid using chemical pesticides in your garden and opt for natural alternatives instead.

Add Water Sources

Butterflies need water, just like any other creature. Provide shallow dishes or birdbaths filled with clean water to give them a place to drink and bathe.

Provide Shelter

In addition to food and water, butterflies also need shelter from wind and rain. Consider adding structures like trellises, arbors, and other supports for climbing vines.

Frequently Asked Questions About Attracting Monarch Butterflies

1. How long does it take for a monarch butterfly to complete its life cycle?

The entire life cycle of a monarch butterfly, from egg to adult, takes about four weeks.

2. What should I do if I find a monarch caterpillar in my garden?

Leave it alone! Monarch caterpillars need milkweed leaves to survive, so if you find one in your garden, consider it a sign that your efforts to attract monarchs are working.

3. How can I tell if a plant is a good nectar source for monarchs?

Look for plants with brightly colored flowers that are easy to access. Monarchs prefer flowers that are pink, purple, or white and have a flat surface for landing.

4. Do I need to plant all of the plants on this list to attract monarchs?

No, but the more variety you can provide, the better. By including a mix of plants that bloom at different times of the year, you can ensure that there's always something available for monarchs to eat.

5. Can I attract monarchs if I live in a city or have a small garden?

Absolutely! Monarchs will visit any garden that provides the right kinds of plants and habitat. Even a few pots of milkweed or some well-placed containers of nectar-rich flowers can make a big difference.